Seymour open to coalition with Opportunity to block left

ACT leader David Seymour says he is open to a coalition with Opportunity to stop a left-wing coalition taking power.

Speaking to supporters in Wānaka, Seymour said if Opportunity crossed the 5 percent threshold, a coalition with them to keep the Greens and Te Pāti Māori from running the country would be a good outcome RNZ.

Seymour used the phrase "four-headed beast" to describe a potential coalition involving Opportunity. He said he felt Opportunity may not be the kingmaker despite the best efforts of the media.

His comments put him at odds with National. The party has ruled out working with Opportunity on multiple occasions.

National leader Christopher Luxon initially said at the end of July he would not do business with a party that wants to raise taxes. Following the TVNZ leaders' debate, Luxon reiterated he would not work with Opportunity.

Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong is keeping the door open to coalition negotiations with National. Wong said she did not believe Luxon would refuse to work with Opportunity because he would rather be in government than in opposition.

Wong has set out five coalition bottom lines. They include giving the Commerce Commission more teeth, regulating lobbying and capping political donations, and developing a 10-year plan to fix the health system alongside health professionals. The list includes phasing out bottom trawling, recommitting to Paris Agreement emissions reduction obligations and protecting the independence of the Climate Change Commission.

The discussion follows the latest 1News Verian Poll, which showed Opportunity winning a potential 10 seats. Under that projection, National would get 34 MPs, with New Zealand First and ACT on 12 each, for a coalition bloc of 58. Labour would get 34 MPs, the Greens 18, Te Pāti Māori four and Te Tai Tokerau Party one seat, for a total of 57 RNZ.

Seymour, the Greens' Chlöe Swarbrick and TOP's Qiulae Wong took part in the ASB finance leaders' debate in Queenstown.